BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, PILANI

FIRST SEMESTER 2017-2018:

PROBLEM SHEET I: BOUNDARY LAYER THEORY
COURSE NO.: CE C371: HYDRAULICS ENGINEERING
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Q.1 A plate 0.50m X 0.20m has been placed longitudinal in a stream of crude oil which flows with undisturbed velocity of
6.0 m/sec. Given that oil has a specific gravity of 0.9 and kinematic viscosity of 1 stoke, calculate the boundary layer
thickness and shear stress at the middle of plate. Also calculate friction drag on one side of the plate.
Q.2 A plate 4.0 m X 2.0 m is held in water moving at 1.50 m/sec parallel to its length. If the flow in the boundary layer is
laminar at the leading edge of the plate, determine
(a) the distance from the leading edge where the boundary layer flow changes from laminar to turbulent flow.
(b) The thickness of the boundary layer at this section, and
(c) The frictional drag on the plate considering both its sides.
Take Dynamic viscosity µ = 0.001 N - Sec/m 2 , ρ = 1000 kg/m 3
Q.3 For the experimental set-up of Fig. Q.3, suppose the stream velocity is unknown and the Pitot stagnation tube is
traversed across the boundary layer of air at 1 atm and 20°C. The manometer fluid is Meriam red oil (SG = 0.827), and
the following readings are made:

y, 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0
mm

h, 1.2 4.6 9.8 15.8 21.2 25.3 27.8 29.0 29.7 29.7
mm
Using these data only (not the Blasius theory) estimate (a) the stream velocity, (b) the boundary layer thickness, (c) the
wall shear stress, and (d) the total friction drag between the leading edge and the position of the pitot tube.
Q.4 A smooth rectangular plate 1.25 m wide x 25 m long moves through water in the direction of its length. The drag force
on the two sides of the plate is estimated to be 8500 N. Workout (i) velocity with which the plate moves, (ii) boundary
layer at the trailing edge of the plate and (iii) whether boundary layer changes from laminar to turbulent? If so
determine distance at which the laminar boundary layer existing at the leading edge transforms into turbulent boundary
layer.
Q.5 Water flows down a smooth wide concrete apron into a river. Assuming that a turbulent boundary layer forms, estimate
shear stress and the boundary layer thickness 50 m downstream of the entrance to the apron. Use following data: Main
stream velocity V = 7.0 m/sec, Dynamic viscosity µ = 1.14 ´ 10 -3 kg/m.sec
1/7
v æyö 0.0225 ρV 2
Velocity distribution is given by =ç ÷ , Shear stress at the wall τ0 =
V èδø (Re δ )1/4
Q.6 A wind tunnel has a cross section at its inlet of 1.0 m by 1.0 m and a length of 10.0 m. Wind at uniform velocity of 15
m/sec enters the tunnel at 200 C. Determine the cross sectional dimensions at the end of the test section which will yield
zero pressure gradient along its length. Assume velocity distribution in turbulent boundary layer to follow the law
1
v æ yö 5
=ç ÷ . Take u = 1.53 ´ 10 -5 m2/sec.
V èd ø
2
v æ yö æ yö
Q.7 Assuming the law for the velocity distribution in the boundary layer, = 2ç ÷ - ç ÷ , determine the thickness
V èd ø èd ø
of boundary layer and the shear stress 2.0 meters from the leading edge of a plate 3.0 meters long and 1.25 meters wide
immersed in water moving at a velocity of 0.25 m/sec. Take viscosity of water equal to 0.001 Nsec/m2.
Q.8 A small low-speed wind tunnel is being designed for calibration of hot wires. The air is at 190C. The test section of the
wind tunnel is 30 cm in diameter and 30 cm in length. The flow through the test section must be as uniform as possible.
The wind tunnel speed ranges from 1 to 8 m/s, and the design is to be optimized for an air speed of V = 4.0 m/s through
the test section. (a) For the case of nearly uniform flow at 4.0 m/s at the test section inlet, by how much will the
centerline air speed accelerate by the end of the test section? (b) Recommend a design that will lead to a more uniform
test section flow.

Problem Sheet 2 of CE F312: Hydraulics Engineering